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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #343952
Title: An update on the classification of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars and accessions based on microsatellite (SSR) markers

Author
item HONIG, JOSH - Rutgers University
item AVERELLO, VINCENZO - Rutgers University
item KUBIK, CHRISTINE - Rutgers University
item VAICIUNAS, JENNIFER - Rutgers University
item Bushman, Shaun
item BONOS, STACY - Rutgers University
item MEYER, WILLIAM - Rutgers University

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2018
Publication Date: 4/26/2018
Citation: Honig, J.A., Averello, V., Kubik, C., Vaiciunas, J., Bushman, B.S., Bonos, S.A., Meyer, W.A. 2018. An update on the classification of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars and accessions based on microsatellite (SSR) markers. Crop Science. 58(4):1776-1787. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2017.11.0689.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2017.11.0689

Interpretive Summary: Cultivar classification systems have been developed to categorize Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and accessions based on pedigree, turf performance, morphological traits, and genetic relatedness (DNA markers). The objectives of the current study were to assess among and within Kentucky bluegrass entry genetic diversity using SSR markers, and to categorize new germplasm in the Kentucky bluegrass classification system. SSR markers successfully categorized all entries into distinct classification groups, and provided justification for a partial revision to the previous DNA marker based classification system. Over sixty new Kentucky bluegrass National Turfgrass Evaluation Program entries were placed into updated classification groups, and the SSR markers used in this study can be used in the future to rapidly genotype and assign new cultivars and accessions into Kentucky bluegrass classification types or assess genetic relatedness among entries.

Technical Abstract: Cultivar classification systems have been developed to categorize Kentucky bluegrass cultivars and accessions based on pedigree, turf performance, morphological traits, and genetic relatedness (DNA markers). The objectives of the current study were to assess among and within Kentucky bluegrass entry genetic diversity using SSR markers, and to categorize new germplasm in the Kentucky bluegrass classification system. SSR markers successfully categorized all entries into distinct classification groups, and provided justification for a partial revision to the previous DNA marker based clasification system. Over sixty new Kentucky bluegrass National Turfgrass Evaluation Program entries were placed into updated clssification groups, and the SSR markers used in this study can be used in the future to rapidly genotype and assign new cultivars and accessions into Kentucky bluegrass classification types or assess genetic relatedness among entries.